K&L Newsletter: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and More!

This month, we'll take a tour of some of my favorite wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere, and there's much to be excited about. From the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of Australia and New Zealand to the iconic Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs that helped redefine the variety, there's something here for every kind of wine drinker. One of my favorite strategies when navigating the Australian selections is to look to the iconic producers. The same winemaking teams behind the collectible bottles are also crafting incredible wines at everyday prices, and that's an opportunity worth taking seriously. And if South African wine isn't already on your radar, now is a great time to pay attention. The country's diversity of terroir, from coastal whites to bold Bordeaux blends, is producing some of the most exciting bottles on the market right now.

— Rachael Ryan, K&L Southern Hemisphere Buyer

• Elegance Reimagined: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Australia and New Zealand, representing a wide range of climates and regions across the two countries.


• New Zealand’s Gift to Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, top selections for every wine drinker.


• Down Under Discoveries from Legendary Producers, incredible deals from familiar names who produce collectible wines.


• South African Wine on the Rise, reflecting the future of winemaking and a rich historical legacy.


• Sommelier-Led Wine Experiences, Tailored to Your Occasion, to make gathering around great bottles feel easy, seamless, and memorable.


• Sonoma Takes the Spotlight: K&L’s 2^nd Annual Domestic Wine Tent Event, with even more opportunities to taste, experience, and learn.

If you had to choose grape varieties to define New Zealand and Australia, they would surely be Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, respectively. And with good reason, since both countries have made an indelible mark upon the wine world with those varieties. In recent years, however, Burgundy enthusiasts increasingly have been turning to the Southern Hemisphere to explore new styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With such a wide range of climates and regions across the two countries, there is a style to suit every palate.

In Australia, Chardonnay ranges from rich, full-bodied styles with notes of stone fruit and subtle oak, particularly in regions like Margaret River, to leaner, more mineral-driven examples from cooler areas such as Yarra Valley. Like their counterparts in other New World countries, winemakers there have increasingly embraced balance and restraint, moving away from rich, buttery styles toward fresher, nervier profiles. Meanwhile, Australian Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates–and yes, there are many cool climates in Australia–producing wines that are vibrant and fruit-forward, featuring bright acidity supported by supple tannins. Read More On the Trail.

New Zealand’s gift to the wine world is undeniably Sauvignon Blanc, especially that from the Marlborough region, which is located at the north end of the South Island. Steely, racy, and bursting with a veritable cornucopia of herbaceous and fruit-forward aromas, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough not only helped to redefine the variety but also put New Zealand on the global wine map. Today, almost 90% of New Zealand wine exported to the U.S. is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. There’s a style for every wine drinker and below are a few of my top selections. Read more On the Trail.

— Rachael Ryan, K&L Southern Hemisphere Buyer

---

Item Name	Score	Retail	Link
2023 Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	94	$17.99	View
2024 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough		$17.99	View
2024 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	95	$19.99	View
2025 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough		$19.99	View
2025 Clos Henri "Estate" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	94	$19.99	View
2024 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	95	$21.99	View
2022 Smith & Sheth "Cru" Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough	95	$23.99	View
2023 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (Elsewhere $35)	94	$24.99	View
2023 Greywacke "Wild Sauvignon" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	93	$29.99	View
2024 Clos Henri "Otira - Glacial Stones" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough	96	$32.99	View

With more choice than ever before, especially at lower price points, selecting a wine can be confusing. When faced with a wall of labels, how do you know that the bottle is going to meet or even exceed expectations?

One of my top strategies, hands down, not just as a wine buyer but also as a wine drinker, is to look towards the iconic wineries. Most top wineries offer a range of wines to choose from, not just the big names they might be most famous for. Most times, their more value-oriented wines are made in the same facility, by the same winemaking team, so it’s very unlikely that they will skimp on quality or lower their standards for even their most entry-level bottle.

Australia is a great example of this strategy, and there are so many incredible deals available from the familiar names who produce some of the most collectible wines in the country. So while you’re cellaring that bottle of Grange, Hill of Grace, or the like, these are my selections for cracking open now. Read More On the Trail.

The history of wine in South Africa dates back to 1659, when wine was first produced by Dutch settlers. Early development was heavily influenced by European traditions, especially French Huguenots who brought viticultural expertise and settled in regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Over time, the industry grew slowly, affected by major issues such as phylloxera. Since the 1990s and the end of Apartheid, South African wine has re-emerged on the global stage, gaining recognition for both quality, unique terroirs, old vine material and innovation.

One of the country’s most distinctive contributions is Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, long maligned but now resurging in a fresher, more elegant style. The diversity of South African wine is shaped by its varied climates, from coastal cooling influences to inland heat, and the country produces everything from bold Bordeaux blends to crisp, coastal whites. In many ways, South African wine reflects both the future of winemaking and a rich historical legacy all at once. If you haven’t opened up a bottle recently, here are a few great options.

Have you ever dreamed of having your own private somm at your party, ready with the perfect wine pairings in hand and a bit of entertaining education to back them up? Let us introduce you to our Somm Services program, where we can customize wine-centric events to help you host the perfect soirée, whether you want to impress clients or hang out with your closest friends.

K&L Sommelier Services offers sommelier-led wine events designed to make gathering around great bottles feel easy, seamless, and memorable. Our flexible model allows for events that run the gamut, whether you want to plan a client event, team gathering, private dinner, birthday celebration, or special occasion. We’ll work with you to create an experience tailored to your guests, your goals, and your budget.

Events can take place at the office, in your home, or at one of our California stores, and we handle everything from wine curation and event flow to glassware, delivery, catering coordination, and logistical support. Each event includes a professionally hosted experience with curated wine recommendations; wines are selected specifically for your group and purchased separately. Read More On the Trail.

— Alex Leonardini, K&L Sommelier Services Manager

After a fantastic debut in the Bay Area last year, we’re bringing K&L’s 2nd Annual Domestic Tent Event to Los Angeles! So get ready for an exciting walk-around tasting, celebrating one of California’s most dynamic wine regions!

This is far more than a typical tasting! Guests will have the opportunity to explore over 100 wines from more than 20 outstanding Sonoma producers, with many of the winemakers and owners pouring their wines personally! Your ticket includes unlimited tasting of 100+ wines, plus a delicious spread of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie—because we firmly believe that great wine deserves great food! Come taste, learn, and celebrate the incredible diversity, energy, and innovation that Sonoma has to offer! Click here for more information.

Thursday, April 2^nd – Wine Club Tasting (All Locations)
Friday, April 3^rd – Champagne’s Headliners: Prestige Cuvées (All Locations)
Saturday, April 4^th – Domestic Tasting (All Locations)
Saturday, April 4^th – Matíari Tequila: A Story of Firsts (Culver City)
Sunday, April 5^th – Closed for Easter (All Locations)
Thursday, April 9^th – Blind Wine Tasting (All Locations)
Friday, April 10^th – Portugal Tasting (All Locations)
Saturday, April 11^th – Riesling Tasting (All Locations)
Saturday, April 11^th – Craft Spirits Cooperative (Culver City)
Sunday, April 12^th – Angel's Envy (San Francisco)
Thursday, April 16^th – Craft Spirits Cooperative: Manly & Bimini Gin (San Francisco)
Friday, April 17^th – World Malbec Day (All Locations)
Saturday, April 18^th – Chile Wine Tasting (All Locations)
Saturday, April 18^th – Craft Spirits Cooperative (Culver City)
Sunday, April 19^th – Angel's Envy (Redwood City)
Thursday, April 23^rd – Food Truck + Wine! (Hollywood)
Friday, April 24^th – Pouilly-Fuissé Tasting (All Locations)
Saturday, April 25^th – Domestic Tasting (All Locations)
Wednesday, April 29^th – Beer Tasting (San Francisco & Redwood City)
Thursday, April 30^th – Almare Spritz Aperitivo Italiano (San Francisco)
Friday, May 1^st – Italian White Wines (All Locations)
Saturday, May 2^nd – French Regional Tasting (San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood)
Saturday, May 2^nd – K&L’s 2nd Annual Domestic Wine Tent Event (Culver City)

Return to Top